Frommers.com Cruise Deals for the Week of December 10, 2008

Disney Gives Kids a Free Pass

Disney Cruise Line (tel. 888/DCL-2500; www.disneycruise.com/kidsfree) is offering kids a free cruise on three-night Bahamas cruises this winter and spring out of Port Canaveral. Guests 12 and under can sail free (except for taxes) on three-night sailings aboard the Disney Wonder when accompanied by two full-fare paying guests within the same cabin. This offer is valid for most sailings between Jan. 22 and May 28, 2009, for a range of cabin categories. When booking, mention or input booking code FREE.

Windstar Doles Family Deals

Windstar Cruises (tel. 800-258-7245; www.windstarcruises.com) is offering special family rates on summer European sailings aboard the 312-passenger Wind Surf. Families who book one full-fare stateroom on Wind Surf sailings departing June 7 through Aug. 30, 2009, will receive a second stateroom for family members on the same sailing at 50 percent off per person. The 7-night summer itineraries include: Venice to Venice, Venice to Civitavecchia/Rome, Civitavecchia/Rome to Nice, Nice to Civitavecchia/Rome, Civitavecchia/Rome to Barcelona, Barcelona to Nice and Civitavecchia/Rome to Venice. Activities on board include a water sports platform for free waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing and kayaking in selected ports when the ship is at anchor (subject to weather conditions and local restrictions). Other amenities include a pool, gym, board games, books, an expansive DVD movie collection and Apple iPods for check out. Fares start at $2,749 per person, based on double occupancy (families are considered two adults and two children between 2 and 18 years of age). Certain restrictions apply and the family offer expires March 31, 2009.

Seabourn the Matchmaker

Seabourn's (tel. 800/929-9391; www.seabourn.com) "Between Friends" promotion gives small groups of three or more couples cruising together an onboard credit of $1,500 per couple for private shore excursions on most Europe cruises arranged through the line's Signature Service Desk. Each couple gets the $1,500 onboard credit to be applied toward private shore excursions, from joining a top Italian chef for a hands-on, three-hour cooking class in Florence to sailing on a private yacht to Birla, Sweden to tour Viking Age ruin, when they pay the prevailing fare for the voyage (which may include the line's early booking discounts). At least one of the three couples in each group must be first time Seabourn guests. The promotion is valid for most 2009 European voyages aboard Seabourn Pride, Spirit, Legend or the newly built Seabourn Odyssey. Including early booking savings, fares start from $3,905 per person, based on double occupancy. Certain restrictions apply.

The Holidays Come Early For Carnival

Carnival (tel. 888/CARNIVAL; www.carnival.com) is throwing a one-day sale this Thursday Dec. 11, valid on most 2009 sailings. Book 3-night Bahamas cruises for as low as $179 per person and 5 nighters for as low as $279. Six-day cruises start at $399, while 7 nighters are going for as low as $429 per person. Valid on new bookings only and other restrictions may apply. Offer expires at midnight EST on Thursday Dec. 11, 2008. When booking, have past guest ID number handy and mention fare code P1S.

Two-for-One

Regent Seven Seas (tel. 866/225-5010; www.rssc.com) is offering two-for-one rates aboard its Seven Seas Navigator on three Caribbean sailings departing Jan. 26, Feb. 23 and March11, and on the April 6 Bermuda sailing -- all roundtrip out of Ft. Lauderdale in 2009. After the discount, fares start at between $4,095 and $4,850 per person for the 11-night Caribbean cruises and $3,595 for the 9-night Bermuda sailing. Fares include spirits, wine and soft drinks. Some restrictions apply.

Deilmann Flys High

Deilmann Cruises (800/348-8287; www.deilmann-cruises.com) is extending its popular "$99 Round-Trip Air & Shore Excursions" packages through 2009. Applicable for Europe sailings aboard the elegant Deutschland, the promotion offers roundtrip coach-class airfare from any of 73 North American gateways as well as a package of pre-arranged shore excursions valued up to $700 per passenger and transfers. Business class upgrades are $2,800; travelers arranging their own air receive $750 per person fare deduction. Fares on the 21 eligible 7- to 23-night cruises throughout Europe between March 28 and Dec. 18, 2009, are $3,950 to $26,750 per person; executive and owner's suites are priced higher.

NCL Does Deals

Norwegian Cruise Line (tel. 866/234-0292; www.ncl.com) is offering these discounts for cruises booked anytime between Sat Dec. 13 and Fri Dec. 19, 2008. Mention promotion code when booking.

• All departures. Norwegian Sky: 3- and 4-day Bahamas, roundtrip from Miami, calling in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay; Florida resident rates starting from $99 (with a up to 4 category upgrade and 3rd -5th guests from $49); book between Dec. 15 and Dec. 28, 2008
• Dec. 13, 2008, departure. Norwegian Dawn: 7-day eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Miami, calling in Samaná, Dominican Republic; St.Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay (NCL's private island); $299 per person best available inside. Mention promo code: PGHOT.
• Dec. 20, 2008, departure. Norwegian Gem: 7-day Bahamas & Florida, roundtrip from New York, calling in Orlando, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay (NCL's private island); Nassau and Grand Bahamas Island; $749 per person best available inside. Mention promo code: PGHOT.
• Jan. 4, 2009, departure. Norwegian Jade: 12-day eastern Mediterranean, roundtrip from Barcelona, calling in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey; Alexandria, Egypt and Valletta, Malta; $549 per person best available inside. Mention promo code: PGHOT.
• Jan. 10 & 17, 2009, departure. Norwegian Star: 7-day Mexican Riviera, roundtrip from Los Angeles, calling in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta; $299 best available inside cabin, per person. Mention promo code: PGHOT.

What Travel Agencies Are Offering

Here are some of the best deals a handful of major travel agencies are advertising this week. Cruises are capacity-controlled and offers may be withdrawn at any time. Similar deals may be available from competing online and brick-and-mortar agencies. All rates are per person for an inside cabin unless otherwise stated, and include port charges. Rates for the ultra-lux lines may also include gratuities and some or all beverages.

• Crystal Symphony:7-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $2,170, Mar. 2 sailing. Deal includes per couple prepaid gratuities (value of $182 to $252).
• Holland America Zaandam:15-night Hawaii, round-trip from San Diego. From $1,599, Feb. 5 sailing. Deal includes complimentary per couple shore excursion.
• Holland America Volendam:14-night Australia & New Zealand, Auckland to Sydney. From $2,099, Feb. 16 sailing. Deal includes complimentary per couple shore excursion.
• Holland America Amsterdam:16-night South America, Santiago to Rio de Janeiro. From $2,099, Mar. 3 sailing. Deal includes per couple complimentary shore excursion in Montevideo.
• Holland America Volendam:14-night Southeast Asia, Singapore to Hong Kong. From $1,899, Apr. 4 sailing. Deal includes a complimentary shore excursion in Bangkok.
• Regent Seven Seas Mariner:24-night ultra-lux World Cruise Segment, Valparaiso to Sydney. From $10,095, Feb. 28 sailing. Deal includes one per couple shore excursion by private car in Papeete or Moorea.
• Regent Seven Seas Voyager:37-night ultra-lux World Cruise segment, Dubai to Ft. Lauderdale. From $18,995, Apr. 1 sailing. Deal includes free economy class air or $1,300 credit.

• Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas:10-night Europe, round-trip from Barcelona. From $779, Feb. 27 sailing.
• Cunard Queen Mary 2:6-night Transatlantic, New York to Southampton. From $769, Apr. 26 sailing.
• Carnival Splendor:7-night Mexico, round-trip from Los Angeles. From $559, Apr. 19 sailing.
• Princess Ruby Princess:7-night western Caribbean, round-trip Ft Lauderdale. From $599, Feb. 7 sailing.
• NCL Pride of America:7-night Hawaii, round-trip from Honolulu. From $1,349, Sep. 12, sailing.
• Oceania Insignia:10-night Mediterranean, Barcelona to Civitavecchia/Rome. From $2,049, Jul. 4 sailing.
• Princess Caribbean Princess:9-night Caribbean, round-trip from New York. From $959, May 24 sailing.
• Holland America Veendam:20-night South America/Antarctica, Santiago to Rio de Janeiro. From $2,399, Dec. 21, 2009 sailing.
• Costa Fortuna:7-night Caribbean, round-trip from Ft Lauderdale. From $399, Jan. 18 sailing.
• Disney Wonder:3-night Bahamas, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $360, Sep. 10 sailing.
• Holland America Zuiderdam:3-night Pacific Coastal, Los Angeles to Vancouver. From $249, May 6 sailing.

• Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas: 7-night Alaska, Vancouver to Seward. From $599, May 22 sailing.
• Celebrity Mercury: 13-night Alaska, Los Angeles to Vancouver. From $1,049, May 11 sailing.
• Holland America Statendam: 7-night Alaska, Vancouver to Seward. From $499, May 24 sailing.
• Princess Sapphire Princess: 7-night Alaska, Vancouver to Whittier. From $762, May 30 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas: 8-night Canada/New England, round-trip from Baltimore. From $1,099, June 19 sailing.
• Carnival Triumph: 9-night Canada, round-trip from New York. From $959, June 25 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas: 6-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $699, Mar. 1 sailing.
• Princess Ruby Princess: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $712, Mar. 28 sailing.

The annual $50 membership fee is being waived for Frommers.com subscribers who mention Frommers.com when booking. Buy a $500 gift certificate and CruiseMembersOnly.com will match it (up to $1000 per person) on select cruise booked by Dec. 20, 2008.

• Celebrity Summit: 12-night Mediterranean, Barcelona to Venice. From $1,549, May 10 sailing.
• Celebrity Equinox: 14-night Mediterranean, round-trip from Civitavecchia/Rome. From $2,389, Sep. 26 sailing.
• Celebrity Constellation: 14-night Canada New England, round-trip from Cape Liberty/Bayonne. From $1,299, Oct. 16 sailing.
• Celebrity Century: 12-night Scandinavia & Russia, round-trip from Amsterdam. From $1,549, June 14 sailing.
• Azamara Journey: 12- night Scandinavia & Russia, round-trip from Copenhagen. From $3,799, Jun. 30 sailing. Deal includes airfare.
• Azamara Quest: 10-night Greek Isles & Turkey, Civitavecchia/Rome to Piraeus/Athens. From $2,919, Jun. 4 sailing. Deal includes airfare.
• Azamara Journey: 12- night Iceland & Fjords, round-trip from Copenhagen. From $3,699, Jun. 6 sailing. Deal includes airfare.
• Azamara Journey: 14-night Mediterranean, Barcelona to Piraeus/Athens. From $3,269, Sep. 27 sailing. Deal includes airfare.
• Holland America Eurodam: 7-night Eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $689, Oct. 24 sailing.
• Holland America Eurodam: 10- night Norwegian Fjords & Scotland, round-trip from Copenhagen. From $1,379, May 23 sailing.
• Holland America Prinsendam: 14-night Heart of Bordeaux, Civitavecchia/Rome to Amsterdam. From $1,839, Jun. 5 sailing.
• Princess Crown Princess: 12-night Greek Isles & Mediterranean, Civitavecchia/Rome to Venice. From $1,389, May 17 sailing.
• Princess Crown Princess: 12-night British Isles, round-trip from Southampton/London. From $1,749, Jun. 25 sailing.
• Princess Crown Princess: 12-night North Cape & Norwegian Fjords, round-trip from Southampton/London. From $1,749, July 7 sailing.

CruisesOnly (tel. 800/278-4737; www.cruisesonly.com)

• Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas: 3-night Bahamas, round-trip from Port Canaveral. From $149, Jan. 9 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions when you book this sailing.
• Carnival Holiday: 4-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Mobile. From $199, Jan. 8 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions when you book this sailing.
• Carnival Elation: 4-night Baja Mexico, round-trip from San Diego. From $319, Dec. 18 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas: 4-night Bahamas, round-trip from Miami. From $149, Jan. 12 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions when you book this sailing.
• NCL Norwegian Dawn: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $429, Jan. 31 sailing. Deal may include up to $150 onboard spending credit (amount varies by cabin category and cruise length); offer ends Dec 14, 2008.

Just Cruisin' Plus (tel. 800/888-0922; www.justcruisinplus.com)

• Holland America Oosterdam: 7-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from San Diego. From $449, Jan. 3, 10, 24 & 31 sailings.
• Celebrity Century: 5-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Miami. From $199, Jan. 3 sailing.
• Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $499, Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, Mar. 8, 22, & 29 sailings.
• Holland America Westerdam: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $449, Jan. 4, Feb. 15, Mar. 8, 29, Oct. 18, Nov. 8 & 29 sailings.
• Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas: 10-night Panama Canal, round-trip from Miami. From $799, Jan. 9 & Feb. 20 sailings.
• Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas: 5-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Tampa. From $249, Jan. 10 sailing.
• Princess Ruby Princess: 7-night western Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $599, Feb. 28, Mar. 7, 21 & 28 sailings.
• Princess Crown Princess: 7-night eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. From $599, Mar. 1, 8, 22, & 29 sailings.
• Princess Caribbean Princess: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $499, Mar. 1, 8, 22 & 29 sailings.
• Viking River Viking Burgundy: 7-night southern France, Chalon-sur-Saone to Avignon. From $1,306, Mar. 22 sailing.
• Viking River Viking Sun: 15-night Rhine River, Basel to Antwerp. From $1,862, Apr. 5 sailing.
• Viking River Viking Pride: 7-night Holland and Belgium, round-trip from Amsterdam. From $1,372, Apr. 6 sailing.
• Viking River Viking Spirit: 7-night Holland and Belgium, round-trip from Amsterdam. From $1,372, Apr. 8 sailing.
• Celebrity Infinity: 7-night Alaska, round-trip from Seattle. From $699, May 22 & 29 sailings.
• Viking River Viking Pakhomov: 13-night Russia, St. Petersburg to Moscow. From $2,046, May 22, Jun. 3, 15 & 27 sailings.
• Holland America Maasdam: 7-night Canada/New England, Montreal to Boston. From $799, May 23, Jun. 6, 20, Jul. 4, 18, Sep. 12, & 26 sailings.
• Holland America Maasdam: 7-night Canada/New England, Boston to Montreal. From $799, May 30, Jun. 13, 27, Jul. 11, Sep. 5 & 19 sailings.
• Viking River Viking Spirit: 16-night Grand Europe, Amsterdam to Budapest. From $2,612, Jul. 5 & Aug. 2 sailings.
• Viking River Viking Neptune: 16-night eastern Europe, Bucharest to Nuremberg. From $3,412, Jul. 11 & Aug. 8 sailings.
• Viking River Viking Seine: 7-night Paris & the Heart of Normandy, Paris to Le Havre. From $1,256, Aug. 2 sailing.
• Viking River Viking Pride: 8-night Danube River, Nuremberg to Budapest. From $1,406, Aug. 2 & 16 sailings.

Landmark Travel (tel. 800/547-0727; www.landmark-travel.com)

• Regent Seven Seas Mariner: 7-night ultra-lux Alaska, Seward to Vancouver. From $3,198, May. 20 sailing. Deal includes $50 onboard credit. Special Guest Jack Hanna.
• Regent Seven Seas Navigator: 9-night ultra-lux Transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Funchal. From $2,450, May 1 sailing.
• Regent Seven Seas Navigator: 6-night ultra-lux Europe, Funchal to Monte Carlo. From $2,450, May 10 sailing.
• Regent Seven Seas Navigator: 15-night ultra-lux Transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Monte Carlo. From $5,145, May 1 sailing.
• Regent Seven Seas Voyager: 34-night ultra-lux Transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Auckland. From $14,750, Dec. 29 sailing.
• Crystal Symphony: 15-night South America, Buenos Aires to Miami. From $3,790, Jan. 9 sailing.
• Crystal Symphony: 17-night Crossing, Los Angeles to Hong Kong. From $3,690, Mar 9 sailing.
• Oceania Insignia: 12-night South America, Rio to Buenos Aires. From $3,498, Jan. 24 sailing.

Vacation Outlet (tel. 800/690-2210; www.vacationoutlet.com)

• NCL Norwegian Gem: 7-night Bahamas & Florida, round-trip from New York. From $749, Dec. 20 sailing. Deal may include up to $150 onboard spending credit (amount varies by cabin category and cruise length); offer ends Dec 14, 2008.
• Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas: 3-night Bahamas, round-trip from Miami. From $129, Jan. 9 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions when you book this sailing.
• Carnival Spirit: 8-night Mexican Riviera, round-trip from San Diego. From $569, Jan. 31 sailing. Deal also includes automatic cabin upgrade; book an 8A category and get an 8H category cabin for same price.
• Carnival Splendor: 7-night Exotic eastern Caribbean, round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale. From $579, Jan. 10 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions when you book this sailing. Deal also includes automatic cabin upgrade; book an 8C category and get an 8D category cabin for same price.
• Celebrity Summit: 7-night southern Caribbean, round-trip from San Juan. From $499, Jan. 10 sailing. Deal includes 15% discount on all shore excursions when you book this sailing.